GOP operatives whisper insipid, petty, snide (though highly coordinated) gossip into the hungry ears of Beltway reporters about the effete, girly, arrogant liberal. Reporters then -- uncritically and endlessly -- repeat what they hear until it completely dominates and overwhelms our political discourse, and then -- "fair or not" -- becomes entrenched narrative.That about sums it up.This is what happens over and over and over. Media stars love to be used this way. The themes never change and neither does the process. Still, it's amazing how fast it travels from Karl Rove's lips and then out of the mouths of the vast bulk of "journalists" covering the presidential race for establishment media outlets. As Gloria Borger of CNN and U.S. News & World Report said: "when Rove speaks, the political class pays attention -- usually with good reason."
The fact that they all say the same thing at once ("up next: Is Obama arrogant?" -- "Obama's arrogance can hurt him" -- "Obama is striking many as arrogant and presumptuous" -- "Obama needs to be careful not to appear too arrogant") doesn't strike any of them as evidence that they're mindless, manipulated spouters of conventional wisdom. They actually think it proves the opposite -- that it's evidence that they are political sophisticates plugged into the important election themes ("Obama is arrogant and presumptuous").
The most inane part of it all is that even as they willingly serve as the GOP's attack amplifiers, they simultaneously and openly fret that they're being unfair to Republicans and too biased towards liberals -- a message that they also get from the same GOP operatives who so transparently write their script. Thus, without any recognition whatsoever of how contradictory the are, the two predominant themes from our establishment journalists are now this: (1) Obama is an arrogant, presumptuous, effete liberal whose arrogance is deeply unattractive, and (2) we in the media are far too enamored of Obama and unwilling to criticize him because we're biased members of the Liberal Media.
-Cheers
6 comments:
Am I to believe it is this easy to manipulate people AND that only republicans wield that power? If the media is stupid enough to report everything they hear and everything they are spoon-fed, then they deserve to come off looking as mindless as they often do.
Humility is a conservative moral judgment. Most conservatives would agree being humble is a big part of being a good leader and being a good human being. No one gets as far as McCain or Obama without any help. They have had support and help from so many people to get where they are today. In and of itself it should be humbling to my mind.
I would also say that, as a Christian, being humble and thankful to God and putting Him first instead of oneself is tantamount to living a good life. Being full of oneself really has no place in this mindset. I can be proud of my accomplishments and still be humbled by all God has put before me. I do not believe I am making my point very well but in a Christian conservative mindset, being too proud is a sin. No man is an island. That being said, it probably would be better for Sen. Obama to let his aids and representatives speak more to his accomplishments so he will sound like less of a braggart.
The question becomes, is Sen. Obama really operating above his station? Maybe he is. He has not really spent much time in public office. I'm trying to remember off the top of my head but he had what, two terms in IL Senate and has served a partial term in the US Senate? He's probably spent more time campaigning than he has governing. Correct me if I am wrong most normal senators do not receive a world leader's welcome. Having said that, I do think it is terribly presumptuous for anyone to think his receiving a world leader's welcome is in anyway by his design. It seems to me the country he is visiting has the choice of what kind of welcome he receives. Therefore, I think the two things are entirely unrelated.
As for the race issue, I have to fight my own family on the differences between people. My great-aunt was recently saying disparaging things about all people of color. Then I reminded her that technically speaking she was also saying those things about my father’s family and me, since I am part Native American on that side. At the very least, it shut her up and I hope made her think on her misguided opinions. The "discussion" would have gone much differently I can assure you, if she were not elderly and my grandmother's sister. My point here is a very lengthy discussion does need to occur. It is about damn time Americans dealt with this abhorring and shameful, bad habit. (For lack of a better word)
Well, I won't say republicans only do it. But it is a tried and true strategy developed by the Nixon campaign. Also I am not so sure it is that the media is stupid, it is more that they are easily guilted or shamed. There has been a concerted effort to demonize the press as the "liberal" media for near 40 years, and honestly it has worked. People believe it. When all available evidence points to the contrary. Two cases in point would be the build up to the Iraq war and the Lewinsky-Clinton coverage of the tail end of the '90s. By and large the biggest media problem is they push scurrilous information as if it were fact or even valid. It's like the old lawyer joke, "Yes or No sir. Have you stopped beating your wife".
As to the thinness of Senator Obama's record. He has served as an elected official longer the Hillary Clinton has. It is more a statement about age, one might say it is straight out bigotry against the relative youth of the candidate. But as I have said before, show me a war started by someone under the age of 40 and I will start giving more credence to these asinine "experience" arguments. Yes it matters, but it shouldn't be the sole requirement. What most people mean is, "their" experience makes them more prepared. But that isn't what they say.
Also it isn't that Senator Obama has said or done anything particularly arrogant (any more so then a standard politician), but he appears to be. I mean seriously, how can someone who is attractive, well spoken, newly wealthy and with a lovely family not be arrogant...and he went to Harvard!!! Arrogance central! It is a trope trotted out against every Democrat since, oddly enough, the Nixon years. Lets forget that Senator McCain is the progeny of a military aristocracy. His wife is the beer magnate, and they have several homes through out the country and yet. Senator Obama is the elitist and out of touch with the common man? Don't even get me started on Ronald Reagan "every man". He was freaking Hollywood star (b-list, but a star nonetheless). So I would say most of those charges are just the furtherances of standard meme used against liberals/democrats. They are effete, or effeminate, definitely left-wing radicals, absolutely socialists, terrorists loving sympathizers....etc.
I do not understand how the media can be more easily shamed or caused to feel guilt. Are they not taught to remove themselves and their emotions from reporting? Hell, part of being an adult is learning to control those emotions and step beyond personal feelings, especially at work. If these people have something else they would like to add that is purely opinion, write a book, a blog, or an article stating so. Problem solved. In addition to the issue you mention, the problem with the Lewinsky-Clinton scandal is a problem the entire country is facing. We feed on scandal. It sells. Public relations people will continue to manipulate and put forth the garbage and misfortune we consume. Until we stop participating in celebrity whirlwinds, the media will continue to give us that for which we ask.
As to Senator Obama's record, I was not saying it disqualifies him as a leader. In fact, it is something I am struggling with because I agree with you, to an extent. I am tired of business as usual and I appreciate Obama moving forward and trying to get to a position where he thinks he can best make a difference. I have to admit, as an ambitious person, I truly appreciate the drive he exhibits. I also appreciate the level of education, intelligence, and the learning curve he exhibits. Those three things alone make him qualified. [Also, do not get me started on Hillary Clinton. If she were the candidate, I would not hesitate to campaign for McCain.]
I really do not understand where this elitist bull about Sen. Obama is coming from. The man had to take out student loans to go to college. He has worked hard and is doing well for himself; isn’t that what this country is about? HELLO! Ronald Reagan’s teams were masters at marketing and public relations, period. I do not know how they did all of it but they were genius manipulators and it was amazing to witness. Anyone who had to live through the Presidents Ford and Carter years, understand what I am saying about the level of disorganization and chaos. (I also survived the Nixon years, but can only barely recall the resignation. I was born the year he came into office.) My point is this; republicans are yet again missing the boat with public relations and marketing their candidate. They need to focus their energy on the good McCain has done, what his plans are for the country, and on finding an outstanding candidate for VP.
I also would like to clarify my comments from early this morning. I do not ever want to relate my struggle with this country with that of black people. My point is merely the level of ignorance and the vile indifference of people. Certain people have not accepted the truth of “race” creation and the truths of injustice against non-white people. It is generations deep and is allowed to perpetuate. Now, if you want to talk about injustices against women, I can speak first hand to that subject…
I'm sorry, are these comments coming out in hard cover or going straight to paperback?
That depends Brad, how much are you willing to pay? =) But seriously, I'm sorry! I'm just really passionate about these things and enjoy a good debate.
Actually for the slow...we may do a cliff notes version!
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